Baristas
Prepare or serve specialty coffee or other beverages. Serve food such as baked goods or sandwiches to patrons.
Also called: Bobarista, Cafe Barista, Catering Barista, Coffee Bar Attendant, Coffee Barista, Coffee Brewer
Median pay
$31,200
Pay for the broader BLS group “Fast Food and Counter Workers”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$22,840 – $42,650
People employed
3,854,050
Whole BLS group
Holland code
RCS
Realistic · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 3.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 4.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 6.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
Baristas pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Fast Food and Counter Workers”.
What baristas do
- 01Clean or sanitize work areas, utensils, or equipment.
- 02Receive and process customer payments.
- 03Prepare or serve hot or cold beverages, such as coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees, or teas.
- 04Take customer orders and convey them to other employees for preparation.
- 05Clean service or seating areas.
- 06Prepare or serve menu items, such as sandwiches or salads.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Sales and Marketing
- Food Production
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from baristas
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers88% · —
- Cooks, Fast Food84% · —
- Food Preparation Workers83% · —
- Butchers and Meat Cutters82% · —
- Cooks, Short Order78% · —
Change into baristas
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers85% · $33,980
- Cooks, Fast Food84% · $30,890
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop80% · $31,200
- Food Preparation Workers79% · $35,320
- Cooks, Short Order73% · $35,880